After stage 4, MINI holds 6 of the top 10 spots, but not #1.

http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2014/us/s...ars.html#ancre

 

1,2,3 M I N I, and 5 of the top 10 overall through stage 5.

 

Where or what Channel are you watching the rally?

 

NBC SN (Sports Network) does a 30 minute report each day ( a day behind ). Apart from that, I've been relying on the Dakar.com website.

 

Awesome!
http://www.motoringfile.com/2014/01/...of-2014-dakar/

 

Great picture!

Overall through stage 6 -Mini's stil 1,2,3 and 5 out of top 10.

 

Through Stage 8:

Mini's are 1 and 2 and 4 of the top 5 and 5 of the top 10.

 

1: Mini
2: Mini
3: Mini
4: Mini
5: Some off Brand

Check out gallery:
http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2014/us/s...s-galery.html#

 

9 of top 15 are Mini.

Mini still 1,2,3 then a Toyota and more Mini's.

 

Some good overall, and a couple MINI, pictures here

 

Will21123, Great link and pictures.

9 of top 12 are Mini and 1,2,3,4 are still mini.

The Toyota in 5th is only just over a minute behind.

 

Is a 2.5 ton, 300 hp, 3L, twin turbo diesel REALLY a MINI ?

 

not a definitive answer but looks fun enough to drive to qualify for one.

Did I mention I want one!

 

That picture.

 

It's a MIDI

 

9 of top 12 still Mini ( yes ) it is a Mini.

The Toyota moved up one to 4 th spot. A minute 21 out of the lead.

 

No, it's a custom-built BMW racecar that has had a Mini-ish body fitted to it. I think the only Mini bits are the badges, the lamps and the styling influences.

 

Since my mile long driveway could be in the Dakar, is there any place the really details the mods they have made to the Dakar Minis?

 

check out this vid

http://www.roadandtrack.com/racing/r...14-dakar-rally

 

Well, If I had the money, I could build the car and in 10 years when the warranty runs out move the mini body to the car LOL

 

Well, 'mods' isn't really it.

The X-Raid Mini (X-Raid are the company that build them for BMW/Mini) is really the previous X-Raid BMW X3 re-bodied to look like a Mini Countryman.

Mods are:
- space-frame racing chassis (about 1.5 times as big as a Countryman);
- mostly detachable body panels;
- BMW 3 liter twin-turbo diesel race engine;
- different transmission (Sadev) and differentials (X-Trac);
- different suspension, wheels and tyres.

As well as the badges and lamps mentioned above, I've seen conflicting reports about whether the windshield is the same as the Countryman, though if so I bet it's a thinner racing version.

Same axe, but with a different head and a different handle, eh?

In addition to that video, there's some excellent pictures here:
http://blog.caranddriver.com/dakar-w...ni-countryman/

 

Duct tape stocked in the interior brace.

 

I presume the editor didn't chose the other photograph - a roll of baling wire that is probably zip-tied into a roll cage lightening hole on the other side of the car.

What can't be fixed with either duct tape or baling wire is what is called 'terminal'......

 

Don't forget the 400 (not a typo) liters of petrol !!

 

Alas it is over. The larger than life Mini's went 1,2,3.

Look for the 2014 Dakar Special edition at a dealer near you, soon.

I think official Mini checker flag duct(k) tape would also be a nice option to celebrate the win.